Materials Description and Content
Spanish for the Physician's Office (SPO) is published by Command Spanish®, Inc. and consists of a 75 page manual bound in a 3-ring binder with 4 accompanying audio cassette tapes. It was developed in consultation with practicing physicians, office nurses, and medical office managers. In addition to a special section devoted to pronunciation, SPL contains the following work-specific language sections: front office etiquette and management, patient registration, patient history; intake instructions and vitals; patient traffic; physician's exam; laboratory procedures; treatment procedures; physician referrals; patient discharge; making appointments and office dismissal. SPO also contains pain assessment charts and the following glossaries: Human Body (interior and exterior); Diseases, Disorders, and Injuries; Conditions and Symptoms; Operations and Procedures; Medical Personnel and Pharmacological.

Program Description
This program is designed to train non-Spanish-speaking physician's office staff in functional Spanish language skills to communicate with Spanish-speaking patients. Training includes patient registration, payment issues, taking patient's history, determining chief complaint, diagnosis, laboratory procedures, explaining and performing treatments, and follow-up procedures. No prior knowledge of Spanish necessary.

Goal
To train non-Spanish-speaking physician's office staff in practical, learner-friendly survival Spanish to better interact with Spanish-speaking patients in order to better provide quality medical care.

Objectives
Upon completion, participants will be able to use Spanish to: engage in office etiquette and protocols; register a patient; explain payment options; obtain patient's history; determine patient's complaint; obtain vital signs; assess a patient's condition; explain diagnosis; explain treatment provided by the physician; explain work-ups and other procedures, and give discharge information and follow-up instructions.

Methods of Instruction
Modeling, intensive drill, choral response, alpha-beta line, learning pairs and triads, Total Physical Response, role-playing, simulations, and situation cards.

Cross-Cultural Component
Not included in manual. Suggestion: 1 to 2 hours with emphasis on belief systems, folk remedies, gender issues, diets, and religion.

Intended Audience
This program is intended for lab technicians, nurses, receptionists, office managers, support staff, and physicians.

Length of Instruction
8 to 45 hours, depending on client's needs and interests.

Special Considerations
Instruction can be segmented (front office personnel, nurses, technicians, and physicians).